William, the first thing about Mexico is that the international news that covers Mexico is mostly overhyped and total BS.
I have ridden here since 1978, lived here permanently since 1993 and ridden hundreds of thousands of trouble free kms both on and off road. The people giving you advice are spoiling your trip. How? Because these people have never been to Mexico or ridden a bike in Mexico, if they had they would be saying the exact same thing I am telling you.
Yes, there is narco violence here. Within a 1.5 kilometer radius of my house there have been 4 shootouts and one body dump of 35 corpses in front of a shopping mall. I feel totally safe because I am not a criminal and am not involved with narcos. Simple as that.
Ask the gringo "experts" who are giving you advice how do Mexican motorcyclists ride? Are we supposed to stay in our homes and cower in fear of what is reported on CNN, MSNBC, BBC, et al?
The good thing is you still want to ride Mexico, the Baja is beautiful and you will find to your own satisfaction and knowledge, that Mexico is safe and you will find it a place you will want to return to and will likely laugh at the bandito BS offered to you by people who have no clue about Mexico.
PM me and I will send you a ride guide for one particular section of the east coast that most people have never ridden and you could find very worthwhile to ride. Trust me, I think you'll at least find reading about and looking at the photos to be worthwhile.
Don't listen to what people are telling you, it is like getting advice about Ireland from someone in England in the 1970's and early '80's.